Shani Gayatri Mantra (Saturn Gayatri) — Word-by-Word Meaning
शनि गायत्री मंत्र
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
ॐ
Om
the primordial sound, the Supreme Brahman
काकध्वजाय
Kakadhwajaya
to the one with a crow on his banner (the crow being Shani's emblem and vehicle)
विद्महे
Vidmahe
may we know / we seek to know
खड्गहस्ताय
Khadgahastaya
to the one holding a sword in his hand
धीमहि
Dhimahi
we meditate upon
तन्नः
Tannah
therefore, for us / may that
मन्दः
Mandah
Manda, 'the slow-moving one' — the planet Saturn (Shani)
प्रचोदयात्
Prachodayat
may he inspire and illumine (our intellect)
Complete Translation
Om. May we know the one whose banner bears the crow; may we meditate upon the sword-bearing one; may that Manda (Saturn) inspire and illumine our minds.
Origin & History
Source: The Gayatri mantra of Shani (Saturn), among the Navagraha Gayatris
Author: Traditional (Vedic)
Each of the nine planets (Navagraha) has its own Gayatri — a prayer in the sacred Gayatri meter invoking that graha to bestow its blessings and illumine the intellect. The Shani Gayatri invokes Saturn, the slowest-moving planet, called Manda, depicted with a crow on his banner and a sword in his hand. As the stern but just teacher who returns to each soul the fruits of its karma, Saturn is honoured through this mantra in the timeless pattern "Vidmahe… Dhimahi… Prachodayat," especially on Saturdays and during Sade Sati.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Shani Gayatri Mantra?▼
It is the Gayatri mantra of the planet Saturn (Shani / Manda): "Om Kakadhwajaya Vidmahe Khadgahastaya Dhimahi. Tanno Mandah Prachodayat". Set in the sacred Gayatri meter, it invokes Saturn — the crow-bannered, sword-bearing teacher of karma — to bless and illumine the intellect, in the pattern "Vidmahe… Dhimahi… Prachodayat".
What are the benefits of the Shani Gayatri Mantra?▼
It is chanted to pacify a difficult or afflicted Saturn and to ease the trials of Sade Sati and the Dhaiyya. Saturn rewards discipline and honest effort, so the mantra is valued for cultivating patience and perseverance and for protection from delays, obstacles and hardship.
Why is Saturn called Manda and shown with a crow?▼
'Manda' means 'the slow one', because Saturn moves the slowest of the visible planets. The crow (kaka) is Shani's emblem and mount, so he is addressed as 'Kakadhwaja' (crow-bannered). His sword represents the impartial justice with which he metes out the fruits of our actions.
When and how many times should it be chanted?▼
Chant it 108 times on a mala, ideally on Saturday — the day of Saturn — at dawn and the other sandhya times. Lighting a sesame-oil lamp and offering black sesame are traditional. It can be made part of a daily Navagraha or Gayatri sadhana, especially during Sade Sati.
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